Child Beaten to Death Over “Stolen Cake”

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – The man charged with beating his 23-month-old stepdaughter to death says he did it because she was ‘stealing’ a piece of cake.

According to the probable cause statement, Deonte Evans tells investigating officers litttle Jabria Phillips had climbed on the counter to steal the cake so the 5’11”, 200- pound man hit her several times in the torso with his open hand and even harder with his backhand.

This happened Sunday. It wasn’t until Tuesday, after Jabria had quit eating, vomited and was so lethargic she didn’t get out of bed, that her mother Shanika Evans, who admitted to hearing the beating, called an ambulance.

Jabria died of injuries to various internal organs. The autopsy also uncovered seven healing broken ribs which police say Deonte admits causing a couple of weeks earlier.

Deonte is charged with murder and child abuse. Shanika is charged with child endangerment.